Glasses and contact lenses are certainly effective at correcting vision and allowing you to go to work or school and perform daily tasks successfully, but they can be inconvenient. Glasses are prone to breaking and require maintenance and care. Contact lenses require diligent care as well, and both glasses and contacts can be lost or require replacement. If you are nearsighted or farsighted and are tired of using either glasses or contacts to achieve perfect vision, consider the LASIK procedure.
LASIK is an eye surgery procedure that is performed to treat nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. It is the most commonly performed laser eye surgery and is a type of refractive surgery, which means that it reshapes the cornea to allow the light entering the eye to focus properly onto the retina for clearer vision.
Good candidates for the procedure must be at least 18 years of age and have had a stable eyeglass or contact lenses prescription for at least 2 to 3 years, including stable vision for at least the past year. They should have no history or findings of active corneal disease, no significant medical or eye problems, and not be pregnant or nursing. The eyeglass prescription will also have to be within certain limits set by the eye surgeon.
A LASIK consultation usually lasts approximately 2-3 hours. During this time, your doctor will thoroughly evaluate your vision, eyes, and overall health. Be prepared to discuss your full health history with your surgeon as there are certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, that may make it difficult or impossible to have a successful laser vision correction treatment. Be sure to have your questions ready for this appointment, including clarifications about the LASIK procedure itself as well as any questions regarding the surgeon’s qualifications. You will also discuss the expected outcome of the procedure given your specific vision and circumstances. Even if you are a good candidate for the procedure, be sure to discuss whether it is the best course of action for you personally. You should not feel pressured to go through with the procedure because of special offers or coupons, or the consultation itself. The decision is an important one, and you should be able to make it for yourself with sufficient information.